Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust
Combining sweet and savory, this Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust is a unique (and delicious) dessert for Autumn!
This Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust post is sponsored by Cabot Creamery, but the recipe and opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Spiced!
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Every afternoon, Robbie and I go on mini “adventures.” Sometimes that means a bike ride to the neighborhood park. Sometimes that means practicing our t-ball skills. Sometimes that means stopping and smelling the flowers. (The little guy and I took a longer adventure to Dellavale Farm recently. Check that post out here!) Recently, our afternoon adventure involved planting some wildflower seeds. Then we made sure to come back and check on the progress of our wildflowers each day.
This seed-planting adventure was inspired by a group activity project within Cabot Creamery’s Learn. Explore. Grow. program. As part of this program, Cabot has created 7 different group activities designed to teach and inspire kids. At the end of the program, kids earn a completion badge. (Robbie was very proud of his badge! However, he wanted us to sew it onto his stuffed tiger. We’ll see how that works out. Hah!)
The Pollinator Patch program is one of the 7 programs within the Learn. Explore. Grow. program. This program was designed by Cabot in partnership with KidsGardening.org, and the goal is to teach our kids the importance of pollinators. Did you know pollinators are responsible for 1 out of every 3 bites that we eat? Yup, approximately 33% of the food grown for human consumption depends on pollinators. And what do I mean by pollinators? Well, pollinators are everything from bees to butterflies to hummingbirds and even bats.
So what do butterflies and bees have to do with dairy? Well, as dairy farmers know well, cows consume quite a bit of alfalfa and clover. (In fact, cows love clover!) Alfalfa and clover (along with other plants and grasses) all need pollinators to grow. Thus, a decline in pollinators could impact the availability of dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. (No, not the cheese! A good sharp cheddar cheese is one of my favorite foods of all time!)
Imagine your favorite mug without coffee. Imagine a garden without flowers. Imagine a world without pizza. (Say it ain’t so!) All of these things rely on pollinators, and pollinators (bees and Monarch butterflies in particular) have really been in decline in recent years. A number of factors are in play here, including pesticides and parasites that destroy bee colonies.
However, there are things we can do to help! For starters, we can get out and plant some wildflowers in our backyards. Since 1/3 of our food supply depends on pollinators, we could commit to making 1/3 of our yards pollinator-friendly. It’s not that difficult, and pollinator-friendly flowers can make a yard look quite pretty, too. That’s a win-win in my book! (Now if only they could develop a plant that grows sharp cheddar cheese!)
The Pollinator Patch program is amazing! It comes with resources and activity plans for group leaders so that they can teach kids the importance of pollination. Activities include making your own flower, interviewing a local beekeeper and planning a special pollinator snack.
I completed the Pollinator Patch program with Robbie, and I’m planning on passing the resources along to the director of his preschool. I know they’re always looking for fun, educational activities for the kids! (Cabot offers a total of 7 patch programs, including the importance of healthy lifestyles, contributing to our communities and learning how to express gratitude towards others. All of the programs are free, and come with patches and a treat pack upon completion. Click here to explore Cabot’s Patch Programs!)
Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust
Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese CrustUpstate New York is apple country. (New York is #2 behind Washington State on the list of apple production.) Apples require pollinators to grow. Without pollinators, those flowers on the apple trees each spring would never turn into apples. We love apples (honeycrisps!) around our house. Each year, I pick an insane amount of apples at a local orchard, and then we eat those apples for the next month or so. That first bite of a cold honeycrisp apple each Autumn is purely magical! (Last year, I think I picked 45 pounds of apples. Oops. We ate them all, though…eventually!)
Apple pie with cheese? Yup, it’s a real thing. I mean apples pair well with cheeses on a charcuterie board, right? So why not include cheese in your apple pie, too? I admit that the combination might sound a bit odd, but I challenge you to give it a try!
Now you’re not going to find me drizzling melted cheese on top of my apple pie. (Yes, that’s a thing.) However, mixing the shredded cheese right into the pie dough? I can get on board with that. The cheddar cheese crust reminded me of cheese wafers that my mom used to make for parties when I was a kid. In fact, I just went back and looked at her recipe. It’s almost identical to this cheddar cheese crust!
The contrast of the sharp, salty cheese totally complements the sweetness of the apple pie. I’m a huge fan of salty + sweet desserts, and now I can add this Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust to the list. I’m curious to hear your thoughts here. Let me know what you think! Would you put cheese in your apple pie? Or would you just stick to a charcuterie board where the cheese is separate?
Did you make this Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)! Happy baking!
Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1½ tsp dry mustard
- 1½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter cold
- 12 oz. Cabot Seriously Sharp cheddar cheese shredded (3 cups)
- ½ cup cold water
For the Filling
- 2½ -3 pounds apples peeled and sliced into ¼” slices (I used a mix of Granny Smith and Gala)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter cut into ¼” cubes
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbsp of water
- turbinado sugar for topping
Instructions
For the Dough
- Using a food processor, add flour, brown sugar and salt; pulse until well combined.
- Cut butter into small cubes. Add butter and shredded cheese to the food processor; pulse until a crumbly mixture forms (~10 pulses).
- Add water; pulse until well combined. If necessary, add 1-2 more Tbsp of water at a time (and pulsinuntil dough comes together in a ball.
- Divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a disc and wrap with plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (Note: Dough can be made the day before and refrigerated overnight.)
For the Filling
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Using a large bowl, add sliced apples, sugars, lemon juice, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; stir until well combined.
- Working on a well-floured surface, roll one piece of pie dough into an 11” circle.
- Press dough into bottom and sides of a 9” pie dish. Spread apple mixture into an even layer on top of the dough. Dot top of filling with small cubes of butter.
- Brush edges of the dough with the beaten egg; set pie dish aside.
- Roll remaining piece of dough into a 9” circle. Using a small square (or rouncontainer, cut squares out of the pie dough. Lay the dough on top of apple filling.
- Roll the remaining piece of pie dough out into a large circle. Using the small container, cut more squares out of the dough. Reroll any scraps and continue cutting until all dough has been used.
- Lay the squares around the edges of the pie to create the crust. (Tip: Brush a little bit of the egg wash onto each square to help the squares stick together.)
- Brush top of pie with the remaining beaten egg. Sprinkle top of pie generously with turbinado or another coarse sugar.
- Set pie pan on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and continue baking for 20 minutes. Tent pie with foil to prevent the top from burning and continue baking for 20-25 minutes, or until apples are soft.
- Transfer pie to a cooling rack and let cool for at least 1½ hours before slicing.
Looking for more tasty cheesy recipes? Check out these other favorites:
Cheesy Quiche with Hash Brown Crust
I have never made a pie crust with cheddar cheese. It sounds amazing. I always love things that offer sweet and salty together.
Yup, this one is unique for sure, Dawn! I know it might sound strange at first, but you’ve gotta give it a try. The cheese adds a fun layer of flavor in there, and the flavors actually work together! 🙂
Apple pie is one of my all time favorite desserts! But I’ve never had it with cheddar cheese – ever! I need to change my ways. The apples are ready to be picked so it’s time to get baking!
So I’m with ya, Kathy! I love Fall baking season…mainly because of apple pie. And apple cake. And apple cobbler. You get the point. I know the cheese might sound odd, but it totally works. And apple pie + cheese is totally a thing. I found several articles talking about this combination from the early 1900’s. I must admit that the combo is a tasty one!
Ooooh, David! This is totally my kind of apple pie! I love the idea of a cheddar crust! Pinning! And I think it’s important for all of us to know the effects of the declining number of pollinators! I’m so glad kids are learning this, as we need all the pollinators we can get!
Yes! I know the cheese might sound like an odd inclusion here, Laura, but it’s really quite good. I mean a slice of cheese with apple works…so why not apple pie with cheese crust? 🙂 And I’m with ya on the pollinators. I didn’t realize until this program that pollinators are responsible for 1/3 of our food. The program might have been designed for kids, but I totally learned something, too!
Hi David! You promised delicious apple recipes and this is a wonderful one! I love sharp cheddar with apple pie and you have improved on that. I can’t wait to make (and devour) this!
I love all the dad/son activities that you do with Robbie, you will both treasure the memories!
Robbie is at such a wonderful age right now, Dorothy! The whining and crying have fallen off dramatically, and he’s being super cute and fun. It makes doing the ordinary chores (like watering the blackberry bushes I just planted) so much more fun with him as my helper!
As far as this pie, it’s a good one! I know the combo might seem a little odd, but the flavors totally mesh together quite well. Thanks so much, my friend!
I like the way you made your top crust. It’s very attractive. With regard to apple and cheese, I’ve always thought that it sounded like a strange combination. Because I thought that, it was years before I ever tried it. Once I did try it, I realized it was a fantastic combination! So I have no doubt that this will make a wonderful and interesting pie.
Ah, why thank you, sir. I got the idea from one of those viral videos that was making it’s way around Facebook. I have to give my wife credit there as she suggested the idea.
I’m glad you’re on board with this flavor combo. Like you, I was fairly skeptical of the concept when I first heard about it. But there’s a reason why cheddar + apple pie has a legit following!
How have I never heard of this combination!? I can almost taste how good it is, just thinking about it. I love it and I’m inspired! Your little guy is so adorable, and the learn, explore, grow program sounds so fantastic for kids. So great you can both be involved with this great brand!
So from what I’ve read, the apple pie + cheddar combo is a regional thing. It seems to be mainly popular in the Northeast as well as some parts of the Midwest. I admit that it might sound odd, but it’s really quite tasty! And thank you for the kind words about Robbie here, too. We had a blast planting those wildflowers…and they’re growing!!
my Scottish friend has always eaten a hunk of cheese with her apple pie. Must be a Scottish thing! Sounds perfectly sensible to me:) cheers sherry
Interesting! I didn’t realize this is a popular combination in Scotland. I’ll have to see what Neil says when he chimes in on this post! From what I can tell, the apple pie + cheese combo is a regional thing here in the States. It’s quite popular in the Northeast as well as the Midwest. It might sound strange, but it’s actually quite delicious! 🙂 Thanks, Sherry!
Yes, pollinators are very important part of our world, and many of them do love lavender. Just saying.
David, this apple pie looks and sounds delicious! I am a huge fan of sweet & salty combos myself (I’ve added apples in my smoked cheddar biscuits, and the result was delicious), but this pie is a different level. Wonderful.
You make an excellent point here, Ben. Pollinators do love lavender. See, we finally found a use for that lavender after all! 🙂
So if you’ve put apples in cheddar biscuits, then you’re already on the path to this cheddar apple pie. You should definitely give this one a shot. It’s unique…and delicious!
I love the salty sweet twist too-especially with desserts and David, that cheesy pie crust paired with that sweet apple filling sounds so darn delicious! And I gotta say- not only does it sound good – it looks irresistible!
Also, that Cabot’s Patch program sounds like an enjoyable way to get kids involved in helping this planet- speaking of Kids, Robbie is growing up so fast! I missed a few posts and now He is looking like a little man!
Sweet + salty desserts are totally my jam, Shashi! This cheesy pie crust was good enough to eat by itself, but fill it with apples? I’m all in! And you’re right about Cabot’s Patch Program. It’s a wonderful educational tool, and I totally passed the info along to Robbie’s preschool teacher. You’re right about Robbie growing up, too…he’s growing like a weed these days! 🙂
David, what a great post on the value of pollinators and a wonderful program Cabot has put together. Here we have eliminated the mowing of public grass areas and planted wildflowers on the roadsides to enhance our pollinator habits.
The pie, love the idea of cheese in the pie and not on top. Can’t wait to give this a try.
Wow, that’s awesome that public grass areas over there have been transformed into wildflowers! I love that idea! Not only does it save on the work to mow, but it helps pollinators do their thing, too. (Plus, wildflowers are beautiful!)
And, yes, cheese in the pie crust is a fun twist on a classic. (Granted, it’s a regional classic, but it’s a classic nonetheless.) Thanks so much, my friend! I hope you’re getting settled into your new digs!
Your mini adventures sound absolutely wonderful – I love that idea 🙂
This apple pie looks great, David! My great aunty used to make a lovely apple pie, but I haven’t had one in a long time. Must change this soon – and that crust looks divine!
Thank you so much, Alexandra! I must admit that the mini-adventures came about as a way to keep Robbie entertained…but now they’ve become one of my favorites, too!
I know the seasons are reversed down there, but you should totally make a good apple pie sometime…and put cheese in the crust! 🙂
There’s no way I can imagine a world without coffee or pizza! I don’t even wanna think about it! I love when I see a bee around the garden…makes me so happy! And what a cool program! Sweet that you and Robbie have little adventures too 🙂 Now, this pie! Apple and cheddar go SO well together so this must be so so yummy!! Perfect fall dessert! Wish I could grab a slice (or the whole pie, lol). Hope you’re having a lovely week, David!
Tell me about it, Dawn! Pollinators are responsible for coffee and pizza…and so many more things that we love, too. Like you, I always enjoy seeing those bumblebees in the garden. Yellow jackets? Not so much. But the bumblebees can stay as long as they like! Hope you’re having a great week yourself, my friend! 🙂
I love that you and Robbie go on daily adventures and this one is so inspiring and important.
Your apple pie looks just perfect and cheddar cheese in the crust is genius! Such a classic combo!
Thanks so much, Marissa! The daily adventures started as a way to entertain the little guy, but now I enjoy them as well. Today’s adventure is to our local apple orchard to pick some honeycrisps! 🙂
wow this mouth watering dish is awesome . definitely gonna try it.
Thanks so much, Mary! The cheddar in the crust is a unique twist for sure…and it’s delicious! 🙂
David, we are big apple pie eaters in our family, but I can’t believe we haven’t had one with the cheddar crust. The flavors are so perfect together! I will remedy that soon with this recipe!
So impressed by Cabot’s patch programs and their outreach to learning. Robbie’s so adorable watering his seeds! These are the best years!
So we’re pretty much the same here, too, Kelly! We love pies in all forms, both sweet and savory. I thought the idea of cheese in a pie was quite strange, but then again apples do go well with cheese. I have to admit that the cheese in the crust is definitely a fun and tasty twist.
And, yes, Cabot’s patch program is such a fun outreach concept. Robbie loves (!!) watching his seeds grow. 🙂
What’s not to love about an apple pie? But one with cheddar cheese? I must try this! The thoughts of those flavour combinations has got my mouth wondering. And watering! Thanks David. And for the work Robbie is doing to help those valuable Bees!
Yes! I know the sweet and savory combination here might sound odd at first glance, but I’ve gotta say that I’m a huge fan of it! And you’re right, Neil…Robbie is doing his best to help out the bees! Haha. 🙂